Airlines’ debt may rise to $550bn by end of 2020, IATA predicts

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has released its analysis showing that the airline industry’s global debt could rise to $550 billion by year-end, meaning a $120 billion increase over debt levels at the start of 2020.

While $67 billion of the new debt is composed of government loans ($50 billion), there are deferred taxes of $5 billion and loan guarantees of $12 billion.

According to IATA, $52 billion is from commercial sources including commercial loans of $23 billion, capital market debt of $18 billion, debt from new operating leases amounting to $5 billion and accessing existing credit facilities of $6 billion.

Describing financial aid is a lifeline to get through the worst of the crisis without folding up operations, IATA however declared that during the re-start period later this year, the sector’s debt load will be near $550 billion representing a massive 28 per cent increase.

IATA’s Director-General and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, said: “Government’s aid is helping to keep the sector afloat. The next challenge will be preventing airlines from sinking under the burden of debt that the aid is creating,

“In total, governments have committed to $123 billion in financial aid to airlines. Of this, $67 billion will need to be repaid. The balance largely consists of wage subsidies of $34.8 billion, equity financing amounting to $11.5 billion with tax relief/subsidies amounting to $9.7 billion). This is vital for airlines which will burn through an estimated $60 billion of cash in the second quarter of 2020 alone.

“Over half the relief provided by governments creates new liabilities. Less than 10% will add to airline equity. It changes the financial picture of the industry completely. Paying off the debt owed governments and private lenders will mean that the crisis will last a lot longer than the time it takes for passenger demand to recover.”

Speaking on regional variations, the IATA DG declared that the $123 billion in government financial aid was equal to 14 per cent of 2019’s total airline revenues of $838 billion with the regional variations of the aid dispersion indicating that there were gaps that will need to be filled.

He said: “There are still large gaps in the financial aid needed to help airlines survive the COVID-19 crisis. The US government has led the way with its CARES Act being the main component of financial aid to North American carriers which in total represented a quarter of 2019 annual revenues for the region’s airlines. This is followed by Europe with assistance at 15 per cent of 2019 annual revenues and Asia-Pacific at 10 per cent. But in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America average aid is around 1 per cent of 2019 revenues.

“Many governments have stepped up with financial aid packages that provide a bridge over this most difficult situation, including cash to avoid bankruptcies. Where governments have not responded fast enough or with limited funds, we have seen bankruptcies. Examples include Australia, Italy, Thailand, Turkey, and the UK. Connectivity will be important to the recovery. Meaningful financial aid to airlines now makes economic sense. It will ensure that they are ready to provide job-supporting connectivity as economies re-open.”

Under the impact of debt, de Juniac explained that the kind of aid provided will influence the speed and strength of the recovery even as IATA urged governments still contemplating financial relief to focus on measures that help airlines raise equity financing.

“Many airlines are still in desperate need of a financial lifeline. For those governments that have not yet acted, the message is that helping airlines raise equity levels with a focus on grants and subsidies will place them in a stronger position for the recovery.

“A tough future is ahead of us. Containing COVID-19 and surviving the financial shock is just the first hurdle. Post-pandemic control measures will make operations more costly. Fixed costs will have to be spread over fewer travelers. And investments will be needed to meet our environmental targets.  On top of all that, airlines will need to repay massively increased debts arising from financial relief. After surviving the crisis, recovering to financial health will be the next challenge for many airlines,” said de Juniac.

 

 

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